Method and apparatus for sealing capped containers



y 1939- c. w. GOODWJN ET AL 2,156,811

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CAPPED CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 2, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet l fiansomamls W RNEY y 2, 1939- c. w. GOODWIN ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CAPPED CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 2, 1957 6 she ts sheet 2 m m u 5g 52 Z {240 a? g1 I f I m II I l I 62 9a 1 65 l :1 124 125 9a i Jr 55 4 A I) :H I I 2 a L 22 i I in... i 4m E A $4 I v 16 E 132 '27 r Z5 Z6 g 22 Z 12 M a V jg I 7 HI I v "in 4 NW 1m WW "WW mmwnm/w' l' a! I I arii/.

May 2, 1939. c. w. GCODWIN ET AL 2,156,811

METHQD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CAPPED CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 2, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I NVENTORS far! if fiwdu/m B iiansom 2%]? 'NRNEY y 2, c. WJGOODWIN ET AL 2,156,311

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING" CAPPED CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 2, 1937 e Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Carl W fiaadwm BYfia a 11M104];

TORNEY May 2, 193 c. w. GOODWIN ET AL MEHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CAPPED CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 2, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 "WW "HU HHHH 53 I 6 2 filfl H; M "65" 5 2,; INVENTORS i, I far! ik 600111001 63 L pvlamflmlflanielr y 1939- c. w. GOODWIN ET AL 2,156,811

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CAPPED CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 2, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 l INVENTORS (arl iiifmmmm BYZansv hie/s RNEY UNITED STATEg METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CAPPED CONTAINERS Carl W. Goodwin, Plainfield, N. J... and Ransom J. Daniels, Whitestone, N. Y., assignors to American Seal-Kap Corporation of Delaware, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application October 2, 1937, Serial No. isaoso 24 Claims. (01. 216-21) This invention relates to a method and appa Fig. is a plan view of the gripper in its eleratus for sealing capped containers. vated position;

The invention provides a novel and improved Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 8-601? means for applying a sealing strip for sealing the Fig. 5;

5 cap to the capped container. In the embodiment Fig. '7 is a plan view of the, gripper in its lower 5 shown for purposes of illustration, the invention position; has beenapplied to sealing a'milk bottle cap or I Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-4 of the like oi the cover-all type, for example, a cap Fig. '7; of the type disclosed in the Baum Patent No. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the band release 0 1,668,349 dated May 1, 1928. This cap comprises mechanism; 10 a centrally depressed bore covering portion and Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line Ill-I0 of a pouring lip housing attached thereto and pro- .Fig. 9; and I vided with an outer skirt which extends over the, Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the heating outer face of the pouring lip of the bottle. The station.

16 machine is particularly designed to apply a flexi- Referring more particularly to the embodiment ble sealing strip in a position to overlap the outer of the invention shown in the drawings, the skirt of the cap and the adjacent portion of the mechanism is shown in Fig. 1 as comprising a outer surface of the bottle. The flexible strip traveling conveyor I on which a row of bottles may be made of a suitable sealing material, such are fed from the capping machine (not shown) .10. as rubber or rubber composition or other suitinto t e P O t e t ng Star Wheel 2 by 20 ablesheet material and is preferably sufliciently which they are removed from the conveyor and adhesive so that the overlapping portions therefed to a revolving turret 3 where the sealing band of may be readily sealed by pressure or by heat is applied thereto in the manner to be described. and pressure, with or without moistening, as the The bottles are discharged from the turret 3 and strip is wound around the neck of the bottle. ar fed y a rotating e P t 4 t0 t e on- An object of the-invention is to provide a novel veyor I which car i m o a suitable packin and improved'devlce of the type above specified. or refrigeratin Stflt10n-- h onv y r I may Another object is to provide an improved constitute the usual conveyor by which the botmeans for applying a tamper proof seal to a milk 'tles are fed from the capping machine, theentire :0 bottle cap or the like. mechanism being positioned over an appropriate Another object isto provide a machine which intermediate part of said conveyor. If the seal- I operates automatically to seal a row or bottles ing device is not to be used in any particular as'they are received from the capping machine. case, it may be readily removed from feed posi- Various other objects and advantages will be tion in which case the bottles arefed directly as apparent asthe nature of the invention is more from the capping machine to the storage or re-- fully disclosed. i'rigerati'ng station in the usual manner. Although the noveliatures which are believed The turret 3 and associated mechanism, as to be characteristic of this invention are pointed m re cl arly shown in Fig. 2, compr s s a vertical out more particularly in the claims appended shaft In carrying the turret 3, a bottlesupport 40 t t invention u may be better underbracket II, a driven gear II, a star wheel driving 40 stood by referring to the followingdescription, s l3 and a p b fi ct ll carrying the clamptakeniln connection with the accompa ying ing heads to be described. The shaft in is supdrawings, in which a specific embodiment there por d y hr s bearings 5 and 6 and is mountof has beensetiorth for purposes of illustration. in Stationary bearing pp s l1 nd I8 which In the drawingsiare attached to the frame 20 in any convenient Fig. 1 isa top plan view partly in section or; manner. The bearing support I! carries a. stamachine embodying the present invention; tionary spur gear 2| for rotating the clamping Fig. 21s a transversesectlon through the maheads, to be described, and the bearing; support 5o chine taken on the line'I-i of Pig. 1;' It carries a stationary spur gear 22 tor-driving Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing the the bottle supports. The gear I2 is driven by a pressure rollers, cutter and associated mecha beveled gear" from a shaft 2' which is driven nism; J through a clutch 21 by a sprocket 2|! engaging a Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line H or chain (Fla. 1) which is driven by any suitable sourceoipowensuchuamotoril. V

Bottle supports The bracket II carries a plurality of bearing members 32 (Figs. 2 and 4) in each of which a shaft 33 is journaled. Each shaft 33 carries a gear 34 meshing with the stationary gear 22 above mentioned. A sleeve 35 carrying a plate 36 constituting the bottle support, is keyed to the shaft 33 for rotation ther'ewith, but is free to slide axially thereof. An outer sleeve 31 is spaced from the sleeve 35 to form a recess 38 in which a flange 33, formed on the bearing member 32, slides. A recess 48 is formed in the bearing member 32 to receive the sleeve 35. A spring 4| is seated within the recess 38 and tends to hold the sleeve 85 and bottle support 36 in their upper position. The sleeve 31 carries a bearing ring 42 on which is mounted a ball race 43 carrying a plurality of balls 44. These balls are adapted to engage the lower edge of a stationary cam 45 which is designed to cause the sleeve 35 and bottle support 36 to be retracted as shown at the left in Fig. 4 or to be elevated as shown at the rightin Fig. 4 at suitable positions of the turret.

In general, the bottle support 36 is retracted to receive or release the bottle, but is released when the bottle is applied thereto so as to clamp the bottle between the. support 36 and the clamping head to be described. It is to be noted, however, that during the entire rotation of the bracket I I, the supports 36 are rotated by means of the spur gear .34 and the stationary gear 22.

Clamping head The bracket I4, as shown in Fig. 2, carries a plurality of bosses 58 in each of which a shaft 5| is journaled. Each shaft 5| carries a pinion 52 meshing with the stationary gear 2| for driving the shaft 5| as the turret is rotated. The shafts 5| carry at their lower ends a clamping head 53 (Fig. 6) having a central tapered por tion 54 which is adapted to engage the depressed bore covering portion of the cap 55 to hold and center the bottle and having a lip 56 which extends over the pouring lip housing 51 of the cap to firmly clamp the bottle against the support 36. The arrangement is such that the bottle is firmly clamped between the rotating clamping head 53 and the rotating support 36 during the entire period while the sealing strip is being applied thereto.

The clamping head '53carries a gripper 68,

. shown in detail in Figs. 5 to 8 which is adapted at appropriate times to grip the sealing strip 6| as shown in Fig. 8 and securely hold the same in the correct position overlapping outer skirt 58 of the pouring lip housing 51 and the outer surface of the neck 62 of the .bottle 63. This gripper 68 is carried by a finger which is pivotaliy mounted, as at 66, to a slide 61 which slides on a bracket 68 attached to the shaft 5|. A spring pressed detent 63 slides in a boss 18 carried by the bracket 68 and is held by a' spring ,'II in engagementwith the finger 65. The detent 63 normally tends to hold the gripper 68 in gripping position. The finger 65 is provided with a projection 15, which engages a pawl 11 to cause the finger 65 to swing outwardly against the tension of the spring 1| when the, sleeve 6111s moved.

downwardly in the manner to be described. When the sleeve reaches its lower position as shown in Fig. 8, the projection 15 snaps past the lower edge of the pawl 11, thereby permitting the finger 65 to be moved inwardly due to the action of the spring H and causing the gripper 68 to engage the sealing tape 6|. The pawl 11 is pivoted gripper 68 from the tape 6 I. When the projection V 15 has passed the end of the pawl 11 it again snaps inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6. The pawl 11 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 6 by means of a pin 88 held in a recess 6| in the clamping head 55 and bearing against the end of the pawl 11. The arrangement is such that a snap action is produced insuring that the sleeve 61 and finger 65 reach their extreme positions either upwardly or downwardly when they are shifted by the mechanism to be described.

For shifting the sleeve 61, a roller is provided which is adapted to engage the under surface of a stationary track 86 (Figs. 4 and 6) located at the position where the sleeve is to be depressed for clamping the tape. This roller engages the upper surface of a cam 81 when the sleeve is to be elevated for releasing the tape. These cams 86 and 81 are disposed at the proper position for timing the action of the gripper 68 for gripping and releasing the tape at the selected points in the cycle.

Tape feed The sealing tape 6I'is fed from a roll 38 which may be mounted on a suitable support 3| (Fig. 1) around a drive roller 32 (Figs. 1 and 3) and an idler 33 to a position to be engaged by the bottle cap as at 34 (Fig. 3). The tape drive roller 32 is mounted on a shaft 35 and is driven by the beveled gears 86 (Fig. 4) from an idler shaft 31. This idler shaft 31 is driven by beveled gears 38 from a secondary drive shaft 33. This drive shaft 33 is driven by beveled gears I88 (Fig. 2) from an idler shaft I8I which is driven by gears I82 from a second idler shaft I83 having a gear meshing with a driving gear I84 on the shaft 26. A presser roller II8 holds the tape in driving engagement with the roller 32. This presser roller H8 is shown as mounted on a bracket III which is pivoted at 2 and is held against the roller 92 by a spring I I3. The roller I I8 may be latched out of engagement with the roller 32, as for threading the tape by a latch I I4, pivoted at II6 to a frame 6 and held by a spring I I1 in engagement with a pin II 8 on the bracket I I I.

In certain instances the tape 8| may be provided with a covering 6Ia, such as paper, which must be stripped from the tape before the tape is used for sealing the bottles. pose a paper feed roller H3 is provided which is driven by idler gear I28 from a gear I2I carried by the shaft 35. A pair of guide plates I22 are provided to direct the paper from the roller 3 to a take-up reel I23 (Fig.. 1). The reel I23 is mounted on a shaft I24 and is driven by a' I of the machine unless it is held under tension by a feed mechanism such, for example, as that above described.

. After the tape 6| has been clampedto the container as indicated at the point 34 in Fig. 3. the continued rotation of, the turret feeds the For this pursarcasm container with the tape attached thereto past a pressure gate I39 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket I3I and is held by a spring H2 in pressure engagement with the tape. The gate I39 thus presses the top firmly on to the cap and bottle. neck and causes it to conform thereto. As the turret advances, the tape is progressively wrapped around the container arid is succes sively pressed'thereagainst by an idler roller I33 which is actuated by'a spring I34, by an idler I35 which is actuated by a spring I39, by an idler roller I31 which isactuated by a spring I39, by a retractible idler roller I39 and with idler rollers I49 and I4! which are actuated by springs I42 and -I93, respectively. The idler rollers I33, I35, I31, I99 and I are mounted on suitable sliding or pivoted brackets for the above purpose. The idler rollers I31 and I39 are thinner than the width of the tape and are overlapped to hold the tape to the cap and container, respectively. The section of the gripper 99 is so timed thatit releases when between the rollers I31 and I39 and passes over the top of the latter.

The retractible roller I39 is' mounted on a bracket I59 (Fig. 9) which is slidably mounted in a guide I5I and is held normally in pressure engagement by the tape with a stiff spring I52. For retracting the roller I39, a lever I53 is provided which is pinned to the bracket I59 by a pin I54. The lever I59 is provided with an elongated slot I55 (Fig. 19) through which the shaft 99 extends. The shaft 99 is provided with a cam I59 which engages a'roller I51 mounted on the lever I53 and is adapted to cause reciprocating movement of the lever I53 as the shaft 99 rotates. This movement of the lever I53 causes a corresponding sliding movement of the bracket I59 and retracts the roller I39 from the tape.

'I'hecam I59 is timed to release the roller I39' from the tape after the gripper 99 has been raised, so that the tension on the end of the tape is releasedand the tape is not pulled out of place onthe container before the final sealing takes places In certain instances it is desirable to apply heat to the sealing band, particularly when a thermoplastic binding agent is relied upon for the sealing. For this purpose, an electrical heating unit I99 (Figs. 3and 11) is provided in a position, to engage the overlapping ends of the sealing tape as the containers passthis station. The heating unit I99 may be' of any desired type and it is to be understood that this unit may be omitted provided heat is not required for the sealing operation.

In order to cut the sealing band, a cutting disk I93 is provided which is mounted on a shaft I94 and driven by suitable means such as a motor I95. The entire assembly may be mounted on a bracket I99 which is pivoted as at I91. For swinging the bracket I99 so as to control the position of the cutting disk I99. a link I99 is provided which is pinned to the'bracketsiii by pin I99 and at the other end is provided with a yoke I19 which passes over the shaft 99 and is normally held by a spring "I in a. position to retract the cutting disk I93 from the tape. The link I99 is provided with a pin I19 which is engaged by a cam I19 attached to the shaft 99 and rotating therewith. This cam causes the cutting disc I93 to" be swimg into engagement with the tape at the proper point in thecycle. A shoe I99 is formed onthe turret 3 between each pair of bottle supports, having a recessed surface MI in which the gate I39 seats and on which the various rollers rest to hold the trailing part of the tape under the necessary tension after it has been out by the disc I93.

The star wheel 2 is mounted on a shaft I19 which carries a gear I79 (Fig. 1) driven from the gear i3 attached to the shaft Ill. The gear W9. also drives an idler gear i99 meshing with a gear I M, driving a shaft I92 (Figs. 1 and 2),

carrying the feed plate d. The entire clamping head may be mounted on a bracket (not shown) which is adjusted as to elevation by means of a ha d wheel i93 (Fig. 2) so as to vary the elevatio of the clamping head in accordance with the size of the container. To permit this adjustment, the bracket is is loosely mounted on the shaft I9 and is adapted to be clamped in any adjusted position. The shaft 99 is also provided with an extensible coupling I95 (Fig. 2) which permits this shaft to be extended in accordance with the position of the clamping head.

Operation In the operation of this device, the bottles which are fed along the conveyor I are engaged by the star wheel 2 and fed thereby to the rotating turret 3, at a position corresponding approximately to position A of Fig. '3. The cam 45 is so arranged that at this point the bottle support 39 is in lowered position. As soon as the bottle has beendeposited upon the support 39, however, the cam 45 releases the bottle support and permits the same to be raised by the action of the spring 39, thereby bringing the top of the bottle into engagement with the clamping head 53 as shown in Fig. 6. At this point, the gripper 99- dicated at station B in Fig. 3. At this point thebottle comes in contact with the tape which has been fed under tension from the roll 99, over the tape drive 92, and the idler roller 93 and extends to the preceding bottle which has now been advanced to the station 0 in Fig. 3. As the bottle engages the tape in the station B, the cam 99 depresses the sleeve 91 thereby bringing the gripper 99 into engagement with the tape as shown in Fig. 8 and firmly clamping the tape against the cap 55. The cam I15 now engages the roller I14 to shift the link I99 and the bracket I99 so as to bring the rotating cutting disk I93 into engagement with the tape, thereby severing the.

latter advances progressively past the pressure member I39, and the various rollers 3,139, I 31, I39 and I99, the tape is firmly pressed against the container and cap. when the container reaches the station C, the tape is partly wrapped therearound as shown in Fig. 3 and is heldvunder tension by the friction gate I39 and shoe I99. At this point the succeeding container reaches the station B, is engaged by the tape and the tape is severed by the action 01' the cutting disk I63 in the manner above described. The tape is now held under tension by the gate I and the various rollers successively engaging the shoe I90. When the container reaches a point opposite the idler roller I39, it has made substantially a com plete revolution and the forward end of the tape is being overlapped by the trailing end. At this point the cam 61 raises the gripper 60 for releasing the forward end of the tape while the tape is held in position by the roller I39. After the container passes the roller I39 the latteris retracted before it reg sters with the shoe I90 so as to release the pressure on the end of the tape and prevent it from being pulled off of the container.- The tape is now pressed against the container by roller I40. As the container is further advanced to reach the station D in Fig. 3, the heater I60 comes into contact with the overlapped ends of the tape and efiects a permanent seal. The tape is further engaged by the roller Ill when the bottle is again advanced beyond the heater. Thereafter the container is released and discharged from the turret on to the rotating feed plate 4 and thence to the conveyor I.

While the invention has been specifically shown as applied to a machine for applying a sealing tape to milk bottles, it is to be understood that the device may be used for sealing any container. The continuously rotating bottle support and clamping head cause the bottle to be rotated in the desired manner without danger of slipping or otherwise interfering with the proper action of the tape. The gripper 60 is moved axially with only a small swinging movement so that it can remain in contact with the forward end of the tape until this end has been overlapped by the trailing end ,of the tape. The

gripper can thus be removed from between the two overlapping portions of the tape just before the completion of the sealing operation. The construction, accordingly, permits the gripper to remain in contact with the tape throughout substantially a complete revolution of the bottle,

thereby preventing the tape from slipping after the gripper has been removed and before the two ends of the tape are brought into overlapping position. After the tape has been severed by the cutting member I63, it is held under tension by the pressure gate I30 and the shoe I90 as it is wrapped around the bottle and is further pressed against the bottle by the various rollers I33, I35, I31, I39, I and III as the turret advances. It is to be understood that these rollers may be made of soft material and may be formed in general to the contour of the bottle and cap. Furthermore, the pressure may be adjusted as desired by varying the tensions of the various springs. If moisture is required to render the tape adhesive, suitable moistening means may be provided in a position to engage the overlapping portions of the tape, that is in a position corresponding generally to that of the roller I 39. When a heat fusible adhesive is used, the heater I60 serves to effect a permanent seal. This heater would also serve to drive the moisture from a tape which had been previously moistened.

The cam is adapted to retract the bottle support 36 after the bottle has been completely sealed, thereby releasing the bottle and permitting the same to be discharged on to the rotating feed plate. It is to be understood that the feed mechanism may be varied as desired. The clamp- The particular type of cutting disk shown has been found to operate satisfactorily. It is to be understood, however, that a stationary knife or a heated wire can be used for this purpose if desired. The heater I may be mounted to be retracted when not in registration with the bottle or may be adjustably mounted so that it can be permanently held out of contact with the bottle when heat is not required. In some instances, it may be desirable to use the heater I60 for the ironing action thereof so as to assist in obtaining the desired seal even in the absence of a heat fusible material.

It is to be understood that the sealing tape is preferably so formed that the overlapping ends are adhesively secured while the tape itself does not adhere to either the bottle or the cap. An embossing roller may also be used to emboss a name, such as the name of the dairy, on the sealing band. Thishas the further advantage that the band cannot be tampered with without destroying the name so embossed thereon. For this purpose the roller I40 or the roller I 4| may be provided with a suitable die on the periphery thereof.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein as will readily appear to a person skilled in the art. The invention is only to be limited in accordance with the following claims when interpreted in view of the prior art.

' What is claimed is:

1. The method of applying a flexible strip to successive containers of a continuously advancing row of containers which comprises bringing the strip into contact with a first container, advancing and rotating said first container to wrap the strip therearound while holding the strip under tension, advancing a second container into contact with the strip thus held under tension by the first container, clampingfthe strip to said second container, severing the same in advance of the clamping point, continuing the rotation of the first container to wrap the severed strips therearound until the two ends are in overlapping relationship, sealing the two ends to each other and repeating the operation with successive containers.

2. The method of applying a flexible strip to successive containers in a continuously advancing row of containers which comprises bringing the strip into contact with one of the containers, advancing and continuously rotating the container to wrap the strip therearound, bringing the following container into engagement with the strip, clamping the strip thereto, severing the strip between the two containers and further advancing bothof said containers while rotating the same to complete the application of the flexible strip thereto.

3. The method of applying a flexible strip to successive containers in a row of containers which comprises continuously rotating and advancing each of said containers, engaging the strip by a first container to cause the same to be wrapped therearound and priorto the completion of the wrapping movement, engaging the ing head may be mounted for free rotation if it. strip by a second container, clamping the strip 16 1 tainer and severing the tape between said conthereto and severing the strip between said containers.

4. The method of applying a flexible strip to a container which comprises continuously rotating and advancing said container, causing said container to engage said strip and applying pressure to the strip by successive stationary pressure means as the container is advanced, for holding the strip under tension and pressing the same against said container.

5. The method of sealing a capped container which comprises holding an end portion of a stretchable sealing strip in overlapping relationship to the cap and container, rotating the container to stretch the strip and wrap the same therearound and, prior to the completion of the wrapping movement, advancing a second rotating container into contact with the strip, securing the.

strip thereto and severing the strip betweensaid containers.

6. The method of sealing a capped container which comprises holding an end portion of a stretchable sealing strip in overlapping relationship to the cap and container, rotating the container to stretch the strip and wrap the same therearound, and releasing the holding means only after the ends of the strip have been brought into overlapping relationship.

7. The method of sealing a capped container which comprises holding an end portion of a stretchable sealing strip in overlapping relationship to the cap and container, rotating the 'con- 'tainer to stretch the strip and wrap the same therearound, and releasing the holding means only after the ends of the strip have been brought into overlapping relationship and releasing the tension on said tape when said holding means is released.

8. A machine of the class described comprising a continuously moving carrier, means feeding capped containers-successively to said carrier, means continuously rotating said containers as they are advanced by said carrier and means engaging the rotating containers to apply sealing material in position to seal the caps thereto.

9. A machine of the class described comprising a continuously movable carrier, means feeding capped containers successively thereto, means continuously rotating said containers as they are fed along by said carrier, means applying the end of a strip of flexible material in over-lapping relationship to the periphery of the capped containers whereby the strip is stretched and wound about said cap and container by the advancing and rotating movement of said container, means causing a second container to engage said strip prior to the completion of the wrapping thereof around said first container and means securing said strip to saidsecond container and severing the strip betweensaid containers,

10. A machine of the class described comprising a continuously movable carrier, means feeding capped containers successively thereto, means continuously rotating said containers as they are fed along by said carrier, means app ying the endof a strip of flexible material in overlapping relationship to the cap and container 01 a capped container whereby the strip is stretched and ,wound about said cap and container by the gage said strip prior to the completion of the wrapping-thereof around said first container,

means securing said strip to said second containers, and means sealing the overlapping ends :of said tape on each of said containers.

11. A machine of the class described comprisports carried by said turret, means continuously rotating said container supports; a continuously rotating clamping head in alignment with each of said container supports, means retracting said container supports to receive a container and releasing the same to cause the container to be clamped. between the rotating support and clamping hea'd, means winding a flexible strip material around the container while so clamped and'means retracting the container support to release the container after said strip has been applied thereto.

12. A machine of the'class described comprising a continuously rotating turret having a plurality of rotating container supports adapted to receive and rotate successive containers of a row as they are advanced by saidturret, means feeding a stretchable strip material to a first container as it is advanced in said turret, means securing the end of the strip to said container whereby the strip is wrapped therearound due to the rotation of said container, means causing a second container to engage said strip prior to the completion of said wrapping operation, means clamping the strip to said second container and severing the strip between saidcontainers whereby continued rotation of the first container winds thestrip entirely therearound, and means sealing the overlapping ends of the strip on said first container.

13. In a machine of the class described, means continuously advancing a rotating container, means securing a flexible strip material thereto comprising a clamp rotatable with said container, a plurality of pressure means holding the strip under tension as it is wrapped around the container, means releasing the clamping means after the ends of the strip have been brought into overlapping relationship and means releasing the tension on-the strip when the clamping means is released.

14. Ina machine of the class described. means continuously advancing a rotating container, means securing a flexible strip'material thereto comprising a clamp rotatable with said container, a plurality of spaced pressure means po-' sitio'ned to successively engage the tape as the container is advanced for pressing the same against said container, means releasing the clamping means after the ends of the strip have been brought substantially into overlapp relationship. I

1,5. In a. machine of the class described, means continuously advancing a rotating container. means securing a flexible strip thereto comprising a clamp rotatable with said container, a plurality of spaced pressure means positioned to successively engage the strip as the container is advanced for pressing the same against said-con tainer, means releasing the clamping means after the ends, of the strip have been brought substantially into overlapping relationship and a heater positioned to engage the overlapped ends as the container is advanced for heating the overlapped ends to scaling temperature. I

16. In a machine or the classdescribed, a continuously rotating turret, aplurality of container supports carried thereby, a clamping head in alignment with each of said container adapted to clamps. bottle against said support a and cam means to move the gripper out of contact with the container during the vertical moveinent thereof.

17. A gripper comprising a finger extending longitudinally in a position to engage and hold a strip material against the periphery of a container, means shitting said finger axially to release or grip the strip and cam means holding the finger out of contact with the container during the shifting movement.

18. A vertically moving finger adapted to grip a strip material for holding the same against the periphery of a container or to release said strip, cam means adapted to cause vertical movement of said finger for the above purpose and means iorproducing a snap action whereby the gripper is caused to rapidly'complete its movement in either direction.

19. The method of sealing a capped container which comprises holding a portion of a sealing strip in overlapping relationship to the cap and container, rotating the container to wrap the strip therearound, releasing the holding means only after the ends of the strip have been brought into overlapping relationship and sealing the overlapping ends of the strip to each other.

20. The method of sealing a capped container with a sealing strip having thermoplastic adhesive characteristics which comprises holding a portion of said strip in overlapping relationship to the cap and container, rotating the container to wrap the strip therearound, releasing the holding latlonship and sealing the overlapping ends of the strip to each other.

22. The method of applying a flexible strip to a container which comprises clamping a portion of said strip to said container, rotating the container to wrap the strip therearound, releasing the clamping means only after the ends of the strip have been brought into overlapping relationship and sealing the overlapping ends of the strip to each other.

1 23. A machine of the class described comprising a continuously rotating turret, a plurality of container supports carried by said turret, means continuously rotating said container supports with respect to said turret, a continuously rotating clamping head in alignment with each of said container supports, a support carrying said clamping heads and rotating in synchronism with said turret, means clamping a container between said container support and said clamping head whereby the container is continuously advanced by said turret and is simultaneously continuously rotated by said container support, means winding a flexible strip material around the container while so clamped and means releasing the container after said strip has been applied thereto.

24. A machine of the class described comprising a continuously rotating turret, a plurality of container supports carried by said turret, means continuously rotating said container supports with respect to said turret, a continuously rotating clamping head in alignment with each of said container supports, a support carrying said clamping heads and rotating in synchronism with said turret, means clamping a container between said container support and said clamping head whereby the container'is continuously advanced by said turret and is simultaneously continuously rotated by said container support, means winding a flexible strip material around the container while so clamped until the ends of said strip material are brought into overlapping relationship, means sealing the overlapping ends' of said strip to each other and means thereafter releasing the container from 'said container supports.

CARL W. GOODWIN. RANSOM J. DANIELS. 

